Five people pose for group photo

Alumni Happenings: Spring 2023

Friday, April 21, 2023

Every event brings new insights, experiences, and connections for alumni and friends of the Carlson School. Here are some highlights:

 

Sri Zaheer in armchair
Sri Zaheer at First Tuesday

1st Tuesday with Dean Sri Zaheer

Dean Sri Zaheer headlined 1st Tuesday in December 2022 to commemorate her return to faculty after this academic year. The lively crowd at McNamara Alumni Center included former University of Minnesota president Bob Bruininks, Regent Doug Huebsch, Alumni Association President and CEO Lisa Lewis, and more. Wendy Nelson, chairwoman of the Carlson Family Foundation, sat down in a fireside chat with Zaheer to discuss her path through industry to academia and leadership, highlights of her tenure as dean, and what’s next for her career and her family.

 


Nicole Graves and Beth Kieffer Leonard pose in front of Women's Leadership Conference poster.
Nicole Graves '97 MHRIR and Beth Kieffer Leonard, '82 BSB

 

Women's Leadership Conference

In March, we welcomed more than 350 alumni and local professionals to the annual Women’s Leadership Conference. Nicole Graves, ’97 MHRIR, global people leader at Apple, and Beth Kieffer Leonard, ’82 BSB, partner-in-charge of the Minnesota Office for EisnerAmper, were highlights, sharing insights from their professional journeys from the Carlson School to the boardroom.

Save the date for the Women’s Leadership Conference: Friday, March 1, 2024.

 


Carlson School alumni posing together
Graduates reunited at the Chicago Dean’s Reception.

Regional Events around the U.S.

The Carlson School was back on the road in 2022 to visit and connect with alumni across the country. Carlson School alumni and friends gathered in Dallas, New York City, Chicago, Seattle, and San Francisco for celebration, camaraderie, and networking. If you missed us—don’t worry, we’ll be back in 2023!

 

 


Students and alum seated at long table with food and drinks
MBA students meet with Carlson School alumni at Graze Provisions + Libations in Minneapolis.

 

MBA Students & Alumni of Color Networking Night

Prospective and current MBA students had the opportunity to meet alumni at Graze Provisions + Libations in Minneapolis to build their networks and experience camaraderie among students and alumni of color. The networking night was sponsored by Carlson 360 for Alumni of Color, a volunteer-led group that promotes inclusivity at the Carlson School and in the local business community.

Learn more Carlson Affinity Networks

 


Carlson School alumni posing on game day in gopher gear.
Carlson School alumni at the Gopher's football game during Carlson School Day.

 

Carlson School Day at Gophers Football Tailgate

October 1, 2022 was Carlson School Day at Gophers Football! Carlson School alumni and football fans celebrated with a huge tent party before the game outside Huntington Bank Stadium. While Minnesota fell to Purdue, the team spirit was loud and proud. Ski-U-Mah!

 


Joe Redden and Jen Alcott pose together on rooftop with "go gophers" sign.
Alumni show off their Gopher pride at an alumni event at Ovative.

 

Ovative Group

Excited Carlson School alumni at the Ovative Group in Minneapolis hosted an event on the company’s rooftop on a beautiful late September 2022 evening. Professor Joe Redden and Ovative Group VP Jen Alcott, ’00 BSB, shared their unique perspectives on marketing analytics while guests enjoyed connecting with their fellow alumni at work.

Spring 2023 alumni magazine cover

This article appeared in the Spring 2023 alumni magazine

Underpinning growth is innovation and courage.

The Carlson School community shares their leaps of faith and the results.

Spring 2023 table of contents